Beignets Haricots (Cameroonian Fried Doughnuts with Spiced Red Beans)
In short: Golden fried yeast doughnuts served with a pot of soft red beans in palm oil, tomato and chili, a classic Cameroonian street breakfast. It takes about 2 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Resting
- 11 h
- Total
- 2 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 650 kcal
Beignets haricots is one of Cameroon's most popular street breakfasts: puffy, lightly sweet fried dough served beside a pot of soft red beans cooked with palm oil, tomato and chili. The doughnuts are meant for dipping and scooping, and the contrast of sweet and savory is the whole charm. Both parts can be made ahead, then the beignets fried fresh.
Instructions
- Put the soaked beans in a pot and cover with fresh water by 5 cm (2 in). Boil hard for at least 10 minutes, which destroys the natural toxin in raw kidney beans.
- Reduce to a simmer, add the onion, garlic and whole Scotch bonnet, cover, and cook for 45 to 60 minutes, until the beans are completely soft.
- Stir in the palm oil, tomato paste, bouillon cube and salt. Simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, mashing a few beans against the side of the pot, until the sauce is thick.
- Meanwhile, mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl. Add the water and mix to a very soft, sticky dough, then beat it with your hand for 3 minutes.
- Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled and full of bubbles.
- Heat the oil in a deep pot to 175°C (350°F). Wet a spoon or your hand, scoop a ball of dough about the size of a small egg, and drop it in, frying in small batches.
- Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once or twice, until puffed and deep golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve the warm beignets with a bowl of hot beans.
Tips
- Fry in small batches at 175°C (350°F). If the oil is too cool, the beignets soak it up, and if it is too hot, they brown before the middle cooks. Test with one ball first.
- The beans taste better the next day and freeze for up to 3 months. Cook them ahead, and fry the beignets just before serving, when they are at their best.
Questions and answers
Do I have to boil kidney beans for 10 minutes?
Yes. Raw and undercooked red kidney beans contain a toxin that can make you ill. A hard boil for at least 10 minutes, followed by a long simmer until soft, makes them safe.
Can I use canned beans?
Yes. Use 2 cans (about 800 g / 28 oz), drained, and simmer them with the other bean ingredients for 15 minutes. Canned beans are already cooked, so skip the boiling.
Can I bake the beignets instead?
You can bake rolls from this dough, but the texture will be breadlike rather than doughnut-like. Frying is the traditional way and gives the airy, crisp shell.
How long does it take to make Beignets Haricots (Cameroonian Fried Doughnuts with Spiced Red Beans)?
About 2 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Beignets Haricots (Cameroonian Fried Doughnuts with Spiced Red Beans)?
About 650 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 98 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 650 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 98 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 560 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
